Combined latch and handle.



Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

E. L. WATROUS. COMBINED LATCH AND HANDLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20, 1909. 1,086,571.

@TATES PATENT @FFTQE.

EDVTARD I1. WATROUS, OF DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO DAVID B. GANN, OFCHIQAGO, ILLINQIS.

COMBINED LATCH AND HANDLE.

nosasvi.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. lVATnoUs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Des Moines, in the county of Folk and State of Iowa, haveinvented a new and useful Combined Latch and Handle, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a latch of simple, durable andinexpensive construction, that may be formed complete of sheet metal,and made with dies and formers, and without hand work.

More specifically it is my object to provide a device of this kindespecially adapted for use in connection with the hinged covers ofwashing machines and the like, for the purpose of firmly and securelyholding the cover in its closed position, and also for the purpose ofproviding a convenient handle by which the cover may be elevated.

A further object is to provide a combined latch and handle by which thewashing machine or other device to which the latch is attached, may becarried.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combinationof the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated areattained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claimsand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows afront elevation of the combined latch and handle embodying my invention,and applied to a part of a washing machine. Fig. 2 shows a top or planview of same. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through the upper portion ofthe latch and handle on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. at shows asectional view on the line 4l 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a frontelevation illustrating a modified form of my invention, and Fig. 6 showsa sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 have used the referencenumeral 10 to indicate the upright portion or body of a washing machine,or other device to which my improved latch and handle is applied, and 11indicates the hinged cover thereof.

The upper portion of the latch comprises a sheet metal plate 12 designedto be connected with the cover 11 by means of screws 13 in its endportions. h ear the central portion of the plate 12 T have formed atransverse rib 14 designed to receive the ends of Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed March 20, 1909.

Patented Feb. 14), 121 1.

Serial no. 484,858.

a wire handle 15, and to hold said ends between the under surface of therib, and the top surface of the cover 11. Adjacent to the transverse rib1 1- is a transverse raised portion 16, materially shorter in lengththan the rib 14, for the purpose of providing a hinge point, as willhereinafter appear.

The hinged member of the latch is formed complete of a single piece ofsheet metal, and comprises an upper end portion 1? having 1ts end formedinto a cylinder 18, which cylinder is inserted under the raised portion16, to thereby form a pivotal connection between the plate 12 and thepart 1?. Below the part 17, the hinged member is curved outwardly anddownwardly at 19 and its lower end portion is provided with a slot 20.Below the slot, it is extended outwardly at 21, as shown in Fig. 6, andthen pjpwnwardly and outwardly, to form a han- The part of the latchthat is connected to the body 10 comprisesa plate 23 made of a singlepiece of sheet metal and connected with the body portion by means ofscrews. The plate 23 is formed of a blank which is provided near itsupper end with lateral wing portions of uniform size and shape, and acentral vertical slot in line therewith. These wing portions are foldedback against the body of the plate, and their ends are inserted throughthe slot, thereby forming a projection 2 1 for en agement by the hasp orhinge member 19.

At the lower end of the plate 23 is a trans verse raised portion 25,designed to receive the ends of a wire handle 26. Pivotally connected tothe plate 23 below the projection 2 1, is a clamping lever made of asingle piece of sheet metal and connected by a pivot pin 27 with thepart 23. This lever has a curved extension 28 so arranged that when thehandle 29 is elevated, the curved extension 28 will project upwardly atone side of the projection 24:, so that the lower end of the hingedmember 19 may move to position with its slot 20 surrounding theprojection 24, then after it is in its position, the handle 29 may belowered to thereby cause the extension 28 on the lever to engage thepart 21, and force it downwardly and thereby securely lock the parts ofthe latch together. In order to limit the movement of the lever, I haveprovided a lug 30 on the part 23. a

In the modified form shown in 5 and 6, the handle 26 is omitted from thelower end of the part 23, and hence the latch may be constructedsomewhat cheaper than the form shown in which this handle is present.

In the construction or" my improved latch, it is obvious that all of theparts may be made of sleet metal and wire, and may be out out and shapedby dies and formers, without any hand work.

In practical use, it is obvious that when the latch is in its closedposition, the cover 11 will be firmly held to its closed position by theengagement of the extension 28 with the part 21. Furthermore, all sidemovement of the cover will be prevented by means of the projection 24 inthe slot 20. When it is desired to release the latch, the operatorelevates the handle 29 on the lever, and then grasps the handle 22- andmoves it outwardly away from the extension 24. Then he may grasp thehandle 15 that is attached to the cover, and thereby raise the cover.The handle 26 may be used for the purpose of grasping and carrying thewashing machine or other device to which the latch is attached.

I claim as my invention:

1. A latch device of the class described, comprising a hinged member ofsheet metal having a downwardly extending portion provided with a slot,the lower end of said hinged member being extended outwardly to form acam engaging portion and downwardly to form a handle, a sheet metalplate having a rigid lug adapted to enter said slot, and a lever pivotedat an intermediate point to said plate, said lever having at one side ofthe pivot a handle and at the other side a curved extension designed tobe rotated into cam engagement with the outwardly extending portion atthe lower end of said hinged member.

2. A latch device of the class described, comprising a hinged member ofsheet metal provided with a locking portion and a slot, a sheet metalplate rigidly supported in 0perative relation to said latch m mber, aresilient locking member pivoted to said plate at a point below saidhinged latch member, said locking member being arranged to swing underthe end of said latch member and being provided with a cam surfaceadapted to ride over said locking portion,

whereby said members are locked together, and a lug on said platearranged to enter said slot.

3. A latch device of the class described comp "ising, in combination, anapertured hasp, and a base plate of sheet metal having a hasp-engaginglug formed of a pair of lateral wings bent backwardly and forwardlythrough an opening in the plate.

Des Moines, Iowa, December 12, 1908.

EDl/VAED L. V1 ATROUS.

Witnesses MILDRED B. GOLDIZEN, NELLIE M. TAYLOR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

